Joyce M. Rucker

Born: December 5, 1927

Passed: February 4th, 2015

Our loving mother, Joyce Marie Rucker was born in Providence Mississippi and at an early age moved to Natchez Mississippi after the death of her mother. In Natchez she was raised by her aunt Mrs. Mable Bell. She entered college at Tennessee State University in 1944 and there met and married Joseph William Rucker shortly thereafter. When Joseph entered medical school in 1950 at the University of Michigan, the family moved to Willow Run Michigan. Mom managed to raise seven children and worked as an executive secretary during and through Dr. Rucker’s studies and graduation from medical school. The family then moved to Jackson Michigan in 1958. Mom then returned to Natchez Mississippi and worked as an executive secretary for the International Paper Company from 1980 until her return to Lansing Michigan in 2000. Mom was a deeply religious person and instilled that passion to all of her children. She will be remembered as a kind, loving, soft spoken and unselfish woman who always seemed to accept life’s challenges and depravity with a graceful strength. Throughout her entire life, she always found solace in her undying faith and her love for her children.

She is survived by:

Her Surviving Children: Joseph W. Rucker Jr.; Jackie Rucker; Benjamin Rucker; Kenneth Rucker; Derrick Rucker; Darryl Rucker; preceeded in Death: Robert Rucker

Her Grandchildren: Anne, Jennifer, Joseph, Krista, Brain, Evan, Benjamin, Jonathan, Betsey, Katie, Gloria, Kenneth, Sean, Kelly, Joy

Her Great-grandchildren: Esther, Laila, Mila

Our Farewell:

The memories of the past are vague

The hurts are forever and now forgiven

What we have today is what she gave us forever and those are the memories of all we have to hold on to.

In our minds we remember her face, her beautiful black hair, her soft eyes, her bashful gentle smile and her soft and reassuring words. Rarely, a harsh word except when we needed it. Her constant reminder to keep out souls centered and our humility constant.

She was a person that spread her love between seven children and never asked for anything in return. She sacrificed her own happiness so that we could hopefully live our lives with the dignity and strength that she lived her own.

My Personal Farewell:

With every breath I take

With every sunrise and sunset that I am privileged to witness

With every time I look into the eyes of my grandchild

I know she is there

I am so grateful to have had the privilege of knowing such a beautiful

person

I Love You Mom and will see you in the stars.

Joseph W. Rucker Jr.